Samantha Howell, 18, of Carrollton was recently presented with the second annual Union Hospital UH TECH Scholarship award of $1,000 and one-time Bill Derek Memorial Scholarship of $265.Howell, a 2010 Carrollton High School graduate, a nursing student at Eastern Gateway Community College of Steubenville, participated in the UH TECH program her junior and senior years in high school.She is the daughter of Terry and Rosebud Howell.

Samantha Howell receives the UH TECH

Scholarship Award from Bruce James,

UH president and CEO

UH TECH (Teens Exploring Careers in Healthcare) is a free program open to area high school students who are interested in learning more about careers in healthcare.The program?s monthly meetings feature guest speakers representing a variety of healthcare professions and also include hospital tours and opportunities for hands-on demonstrations of medical equipment.

?When I began attending the UH TECH program, I knew, already, that I wanted to be a nurse, but with what I learned over the course of the meetings, I was able to specifically decide what type of nursing I wanted to do,? said Howell, who is pursuing a career in pediatric nursing.Having already completed her preliminary undergraduate requirements during high school and over the past summer, Howell was recently accepted to Eastern Gateway?s nursing program in which she is enrolled for the fall term as a sophomore.In addition to carrying a full-time course load, Howell works as a State-Tested Nursing Assistant at Bowerston Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

It was this drive and determination that made Howell stand out from among many exemplary scholarship applicants during the selection process.

?It certainly was a difficult decision,? said Carey Gardner, director of community relations and a UH TECH advisory committee member.?We were impressed with all the candidates.Ultimately, we felt that Samantha really demonstrated the commitment, dedication, and passion for helping people that we all hope to encounter in our personal interactions with medical professionals. These characteristics were reflected in her academic achievements, community activities, and her commitment to the program,? said Gardner, noting that Howell commuted from her home in Carrollton to attend the meetings in Dover, often in inclement weather.

?We are very pleased to be able to offer this scholarship opportunity to someone like Samantha who demonstrates the qualities we value as a community healthcare provider,? said Bruce James, president and CEO of Union Hospital.?It is fitting, too, that this scholarship was made possible, in part, as a memorial to Bill Derek, who exemplified those same qualities throughout his 34 years of service as our hospital pharmacist and subsequent years spent volunteering at the hospital.?

?I definitely think any student considering going into the medical field should join UH TECH,? said Howell. ?You learn so much, and it?s really a good way to figure out what you want to do.?

The UH TECH program will kick off its 2010-2011 season with the first meeting on October 14 at 6:00 p.m. at Union Hospital.Visit unionhospital.org or call (330) 602-0778 for more information.